DLT

That was an initial plan, but the cast items are fine, and they can be tapered down to a thin front edge. Once I'd tried this out I thought they looked perfectly allright, and saw no real need to replace them. This loco is going to earn its keep pulling trains on a mainline layout, and in that situation I doubt if the thickness of the castings would be particularly noticeable. Hope to have another update over the weekend. All the best, Dave.

Hi Graham, Thanks for your comments. Its amazing what an improvement the boiler mods have made; it really did look odd stuckup in the air with a yawning cavity underneath. I've also made the boiler removable for painting etc. Easily done, as the rear end slots into the cab front, locating it nicely. All that was needed was one screw up through the footplate and a captive nut in the smokebox. I located this about 1/4inch behind the body/chassis fixing screw position (which comes up through the middle of the cylinder block, also to a captive nut in the smokebox) I have been supplied with a set of Romford crossheads, and a superb bit of engineering they look too. Just as well, as the crossheads in the kit are (rather poor) whitemetal castings; Whitemetal moving parts are a bit of a no-no in my book. Having said that, the cylinder castings are excellent, and of an ingenious design. Cheeers, Dave.

Some progress to report with the DJH S15. Once a working chassis was achieved I carried on with the bodywork. One glaring error was the boiler shape; its pitched too high, the bottom should be flush with the footplate. All this needed was some attention to the smokebox saddle with a large file. The smokebox itself though needed a bit more work; the front end was splayed out like a trumpet, and it was egg-shaped in section with the sharp bit at the top. Some rather more careful filing got it to shape, but at the expense of the rivet detail. Hence the need for the new riveted brass wrapper. At the same time, a rivited overlay was produced for the plain whitemetal bufferbeam When the photos were taken the smoke deflectors were only balanced in place; the handrails need fitting first, as the deflectors have to fit underneath, but just touching. Also visible are the exquisite machined brass clack-valves from Romford/Markits, although I think the attachment holes in the boiler need to be a touch higher. Thats all for the moment, rest of the boiler fittings to do, and then back to the chassis. Bye for now, Dave.

The DJH kit is definitely out on a few dimensions; I'm curing some of the obvious problems, but the main brief for this model was "build the kit". There were some problems with the boiler casting, but apart from that the general proportions look pretty good. Thoughts are turning to a U Class, DJH do one, but does anyone else? Thanks, Dave

I too would be interested, those trees look excellent. Obviously I'm looking at a 7mm version, is it the same method as you used on Brayford? Cheers, Dave.

Its high time I kicked this thread back into action, and my latest SR loco project is a DJH S15. Now a lot has been said about DJH kits, much of it un-complimentary, and up until now I've had no experience of them. So, I was pleasantly suprised to find that the S15 seemed to be a pretty good kit all-round; certainly a lot better than my previous project, the SEFinecast W. The brief for this model is fairly standard, 00, Romford wheels, rigid chassis, Mashima motor, HighLevel gearbox (Loadhauler Plus) and as many wiper pickups as possible. The chassis is designed for a large open-frame motor, with a worm & wheel on the middle axle. I modified the frames by filling in the motor cutouts, and widening it to accomodate the Highlevel gearbox. Some hefty washers are provides as part of the chassis etch, their purpose being to reduce the sideplay in the driving axles, but by placing these washers inside the frames, to widen the spacers, sufficient width is acheived for the gearbox. The photos should show this, but its not clear. Thje bogie is simple but effective; the wheels ride in slots, but I replaced the fixed whitemetal keeperplate, with a screw-on version made from circuitboard. (might be useful for pickups later) The next photos show the chassis as far as its got. Conventional wire pickups scrape away at the insulated Romfords on one side, and with the addition of coupling rods it runs very nicely. The whitemetal T-piece is the rather ingenious mounting block for the cylinders. I always build a cradle to support the footplate during construction, makes handling easier and keeps it flat during assembly. Its especially neccessary here, where the footplate is a rather flimsy whitemetal casting. The boiler is pitched too high, the bottom should be flush with the footplate with no daylight showing; it awaits the attention of a large file! With the different motor asrrangement, I should be able to fill in some of the rather prominent boiler cut-out. I will probably make the boiler removable, it would be impossible to paint otherwise. I'll post more when theres something to tell. Cheers, Dave.

Thats terrific Mudders, really looks the business. Cheers, Dave.

Hi Richard, Thats superb, what a difference you've made with the Grassmaster. The colours are spot on as well, whose fibres were you using? I was impressed by the demo at the RM members day, but can't for the life of me remember the details! I've a couple of questions regarding the technique in general; How long did it take to achieve that finish? And did you apply it on top of the existing foliage (which looked like Woodland Scenics/Greenscene) or did you pull it up and start again? The effect you've acheived is most convincing; as you will have layout at the Barnstaple show, can you persuade Darren to set up a demo alongside? All the best, Dave.T

Looks pretty fast to me Richard! The whole thing looks terrific; I particularly like the brick wall backscene, and I'm interested to see how you get on with the Grassmaster. Still hoping to get to the Barnstaple show. All the best, Dave.

Hi Marc, Exebridge Quay appeared a few times in Model Railway Journal: In the first Compendium (brief photo survey), in issue No,14 (building construction) and in the third Compendium (sailing barge construction) I'm sure theres been a major photographic article somewhere, but I can't remember where. Not sure if this helps! Dave.T

Thanks Guys, Yes I think thats probably the best route to go. I couldnt find one specifically for this loco, and spent the fiver on a whole sheet of transfers instead. Hmm, maybe I'm agonising too much about minute details. Cheers, Dave.

Scaling from the photographs, the numbers on the smokebox should be approx 1.4mm high. So it was back to the LNER wagon transfer sheet, and I think I've got it right this time; at the third (or possibly fourth) attempt. so, does it look ok now? Cheers, Dave.

I'm very pleased to report that, thanks to the generosity of the Shedmaster at Fisherton Sarum, 21914 had a run on a layout and pulled a train for the first time today. Terrific layout Graham, thanks very much. Hope the trip home was ok, Dave.

Thanks Guys, I've just looked at the transfer sheet and realised I've been a complete p*ll*ck and used the wrong set of numbers. I guess that comes of doing it late at night, or when I'm in a hurry. Cheers, Dave.

There seems to be no end of bits to stick on this loco; cab glazing, Romford screw-link couplings etc. Ive done a smokebox numberplate at last, using LNER wagon transfers, thanks to Mikemeg's advice, see http://www.rmweb.co....ng/page__st__25 However I'm still not convinced, I think I've managed to use the wrong size numbers (too large) Again! Does the numberplate look too hefty? Hmmm, Dave.

Hi Chris, I dont think I will make it to either of those shows, but I did have a good look at DintheD at Stafford (I was sort of diagonally opposite you, with Bridport Town) and very nice it looks too. I presume the Washing Line wont be needed in future? My freind is not planning to build the whole of Exmouth Junction, I think that would be a Lifetime project, rather than a Retirement one. It will be a reduced version of the main locoshed area. I'm going to the Members Day in Taunton tomorrow, hoping to have a good look at Fisherton Sarum. All the best, Dave.

A view of the rather ramshackle loco facilities at Charmouth, coastal terminus of the narrow-gauge Marshwood Vale Railway Dave.T

Marvelous Chris, felt like I was there. Dave.

Thanks very much; Sadly I don't feel that I can recomend this kit; if you look at the box photo further back in the thread, you'll see what I mean. PDK have a W Kit thats currently unavailable; I guess this would be like many of his kits; etched brass, possibly with a resin boiler. A little gentle lobbying from enough of us might move it up his "To Do" list. The Exmouth Junction layout that these locos are destined for is a friend's Retirement Project, sadly not mine. My own modelling takes place in the realms of 7mm scale narrow-gauge; which explains why the W photos are against an overscale background. I really must build a photographic diorama. Having said that, the Southern in the West Country is another great interest, and building these locos has been a treat for me. I'm a great admirer of Treneglos, you've really captured the look and atmosphere of that part of North Cornwall. I've spent quite some time watching it at shows, but havent seen it recently. Have you got any more shows booked? All the best, Dave.

100??? Goodness, makes my "fleet" look pretty feeble! Still, cross my palm with silver and I might be tempted! Cheers, Dave.

Well, for anyone who'se been following this marathon thread, the W is finished at long last (sighs of relief all round) Ok, its still short of couplings, cab window glazing, and smokebox numberplate, but I think thats all. A gentle weathering just to give a "lived in" working appearance was achieved by first dry-brushing all over with Humbrol light grey and a mucky brown, then some Carrs "Shades of Grey" weathering powders were brushed on. 24 hours later I washed it all off again, with white-spirit in a soft brush. I very gently wiped it with kitchen-roll and left it to dry. Smokebox and horizontal surfaces were left unwashed, and once I thought it looked right, I left well alone! I've suprised myself with this loco, I think the finish is one of my best. Please let me know if you think its ok. Thanks, Dave

Hi Paul, Thanks very much, it all fitted in very nicely really. The kit is designed for the initial, Eastleigh built batch of right-hand-drive locos, 31914 was the loco I seem to have found the most photos of, and it was one of the batch briefly allocated to Exmouth Junction (the destination layout). The photo I've used most during construction shows 31914 in the banking engine headshunt by the level crossing at Exeter St.Davids. Cheers, Dave.

Hi Muds, Thanks very much, weathering is now done, and all the final bits fitted. They say "The Devil's in the Detail" and was this ever more true than of loco building? I'm really pleased with it, photos later this evening (I hope!) Cheers, Dave.

Looks great Chris, although you could argue that its cruel to enlarge an 009 loco to quite that extent! As for the strings of superglue, I thought they they were cobwebs, on a loco thats been in its shed for a while. And I wouldnt have noticed the cab roof if you hadnt mentioned it. Terrific stuff, are there any more photos of the layout? Cheers, Dave.

Thank you very much for your kind remarks Gentlemen. I tend to leave the final fitting of handrails etc till last; I find it much easier to paint and weather without the handrails in position. The photos of this loco I've been working from show the handrails to be relatively clean from regular use, in comparison to the filthy smokebox wrapper. Also, the bodywork comes apart in three pieces; the footplate, tanks and firebox are one section, the boiler barrel/smokebox another, and the cab/bunker the third. (see earlier in this thread) So some parts (ejector pipe and bunker-rear handrail) need to be fitted last as they fit to two separate units. Building a loco in sub-units like this makes painting FAR simpler, and its no more difficult to achieve. The handrails themselves were all constructed on the loco: Once the holes were drilled in the smokebox, I threaded the handrail knobs onto a length of brass rod, and fitted them to the loco. While holding everything gently in position I quickly solderd the knobs to the wire. Then the complete handrails can be removed from the loco and trimmed to length, cleaned up, chemically blacked etc, and put somewhere safe until needed. Mass production? Not likely, not at the speed I work! If you want a better W kit, then you could try gently lobbying PDK to re-introduce their etched version. All the best, Dave.